WATERLOO – What will life be like in 2030? It could be that technology will prevent your car from crashing, or that mathematics will make the difference between wealth and poverty.

These are visions of the future that researchers from Ontario universities will share with the public at Life in 2030: Discuss the future with those who are creating it, a free public event that will be held Jan. 23 in Kitchener. Hosted by the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, in partnership with the University of Guelph and University of Ottawa, this is the first in a series of Research Matters discussions taking place across Ontario during the next few months.

“The work of Ontario researchers has a significant impact on the day-to-day life and future of Ontarians,” said D. George Dixon, vice-president of university research at Waterloo. “This event is an opportunity for researchers to connect with people in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and share their hopes, concerns, and expectations for the next generation of Ontarians. Additionally, because universities are publicly funded, we recognize the importance of sharing our work with the communities to whom we are accountable.”

Moderated by Iain Klugman, president and CEO of Communitech, four researchers will discuss what life will be like in 2030 through the prism of their research:

Ajay Heble, University of Guelph, “Music improvisation and community building: Improvisation will be at the core of sustainable communities and unprecedented change.”

Amir Khajepour, University of Waterloo, “Intelligent cars: Vehicles will prevent themselves from crashing.”

Donna Kotsopoulos, Wilfrid Laurier University, “Math pedagogy: Mathematics will make the difference between wealth and poverty.”

Andrew Pelling, University of Ottawa, “Cellular nanotechnology: Technology and biology will integrate in unpredictable ways.”

“Our universities – both locally and across Ontario – are home to some of the most prestigious, varied, and collaborative research environments in the world,” said Abby Goodrum, vice-president: research at Wilfrid Laurier University. “We want all members of our community to be able to share this wealth of ideas.”

Life in 2030 is a Research Matters event that takes place at The Tannery, 151 Charles St. W. in Kitchener, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending are asked to register at http://yourontarioresearch.ca/life-in-2030. Research Matters events allow Ontarians to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities with researchers who are helping to shape the future, as well as voice their opinions and ideas in conversation with some of the province’s leading thinkers.

There are five Research Matters events taking place across Ontario that will include 21 provincial universities. The other four will occur in Sudbury on March 7, Oshawa on April 3, St. Catharines on April 16 and Toronto on May 9. The Research Matters campaign also includes a blog and social media opportunities for Ontarians to engage with university research. Visit the Research Matters website at www.YourOntarioResearch.ca for details.